First, if you’re going on a four-meal-a-day cruise or to buffet-crazy Vegas, this basic rule should be for you. Just eat smaller portions of low-calorie food and get regular daily exercise.

However, if it were so simple, why do you see so many senior tourists huffing and puffing around Paris, Rome, Hollywood, Las Vegas, London and New York: They’re just barely able to drag their excess pounds along. And seagoing seniors waddling along the decks of those luxury liners. Observe others loading fourth-helping platters of pastas and pies at a Vegas buffet.

Q: With all the airport boarding waits, and when the airplane sits on the runway for hours, my temper gets hotter every time it happens. Other than kicking out the window, jumping and running back to the terminal, what can I do to calm down? MRK, Pittsburgh PA

A: Escaping out the airplane window is not a good idea, even during the worst of the wait. Of course, if the air conditioning will be off and you’re sweating like a dishonest politician, bailing out may cross your mind. However, There are safer ways to pass the interminable time. Suggestions:

If permitted, take brisk strolls up and down the aisle. It can alleviate the inertia of being stuck in a cramped seat in a cramped metal tube, and may ease the frustration.

Also, if permitted, and there’s a fairly large empty area, such as by the rear hatch or galley, go there and do some stand and stretch exercises. Do pushes against a bulkhead (not the hatch!) with one or both hands, also try lifts with one foot, knee-up at a time. If fit enough and not restricted by clothing and space, also do a series of squats.

One of the marvels of modern science for pre-flight time-passers is your little personal electronic-digital gizmo, the smartphone. While you wait, work on business, write reports, solve puzzles, watch movies, listen to music, converse, read on-screen books, play games and/or send mail. You can do scores of other busy smartphone things to help pass the time, as well as prevent you from squawking at members of the crew.

If you try concentrating on keeping your eyes, ears and mind busy, you’ll be amazed how the long hours of delay zip by as if they were only 55 minutes each.

Guest Editor Theresa A., Chicago IL: I’m a seasoned media pro, frequently travel alone, and always take sensible precautions to protect myself. From my more than 40 years of experience on the road here are some suggestions I tell other women travelers:

1. It’s OK to stay in inexpensive hotels, hostels and bed-and-breakfasts that have good reputations. When making plans, check the latest safety info on internet travel sites.

2. When you meet a man for the first time at cafés and social events, never leave alone with the stranger. No matter how smooth his line is, if you’re not absolutely sure he’s safe, don’t go.

Q: When I drive in retirement areas, I see many very elderly people at the wheel on roads and highways, and it makes me nervous. I’m 68, and beginning to have some eye troubles, and my on-road reaction times are slowing down, especially at night. My kids tell me I’m ready to give up driving. Should there be an age limit on seniors getting renewed driver’s licenses?  HGJ, Coral Gables FL

A: Hell, no! I'm 80 and still drive daily. Not as sharp as I was 60 years ago, but still responsible. There are drivers in their 90s I'd much rather share the road with than any drunk or druggie teen. Yes, I was once one of those wild kids, and lucky I didn't kill myself or anyone else by my stupid impaired driving.